Operating device preferably for machines for controlling and inspecting containers and/or their contents, and corresponding machine

ABSTRACT

The invention is an operating device including an apparatus suited to move a support with an alternating motion around an axis. The apparatus includes one or more permanent magnets arranged along a section of a circumference that is concentric with the axis and a winding controlled by a control unit. The invention also concerns a machine for checking and inspecting containers.

The invention concerns an operating device to be used preferably inmachines for controlling and inspecting containers, and a correspondinginspection machine. More particularly, the invention concerns asynchronisation device to be used in machines for controlling andinspecting containers and/or their contents, preferably in thepharmaceutical sector, and a corresponding machine.

As already known, some products are packed and sealed in containers.

In particular in the pharmaceutical sector, some products are placed incontainers and sealed therein, said containers being for example bottlesor vials made of glass or a synthetic material, like for exampleplastic, or similar materials. Said containers, once sealed and sent outof the filling and sealing system, are subjected to various inspectionsand checks.

These checks make it possible to identify, for example, any foreignparticles inside the containers and/or their contents and/or defects inthe closure of the containers and/or in the cap, cracks, flaws and/or torecord the chemical-physical characteristics of the material containedin the containers.

These checks and inspections concern more generally the conditions ofthe container and/or of the product contained therein. It is also clearthat the container can be checked even before filling it.

Said checks are carried out with special machines that allow thisoperation to be performed while the container is moving along theproduction line.

More particularly, the machines or systems of known type generallycomprise:

-   -   a loading unit for the containers to be checked;    -   rotary support means consisting of a cylinder, also called        carousel, radially provided with a plurality of seats arranged        side by side, each suited to receive one container to be checked        from the loading unit;    -   means for recording the characteristics of the container to be        checked, arranged on the perimeter of the cylinder and facing        said seats;    -   an operating or synchronisation device suited to maintain a        relative angular speed equal to zero between the bottle        positioned on the rotary support and the recording means, said        device being suited to maintain said relative speed equal to        zero for the period of time necessary for recording the        characteristics to be checked;    -   an unloading unit for the checked containers, suited to collect        the checked containers from the rotary support in order to        convey them out of the system or to recirculate them.

It is important to notice that in order to perform the above mentionedrecording operations correctly it is necessary to keep the bottle stillwith respect to the recording means for the time required to record theparameter to be checked.

The known synchronisation devices, also called mechanical oscillators,are mechanical and are suited to transform an incoming continuous rotarymotion into a reduced continuous rotary motion on an outlet shaft andinto an alternating motion of a support.

More precisely, said devices comprise a rotary shaft driven by anelectric motor that, through a mechanical system of gears and cams,rotates a pin to which the cylinder is secured and at the same timemoves with an alternating motion a moving support to which the recordingmeans are fixed.

More particularly, the above mentioned mechanical system with conjugatecams and roller feeler ensures that the moving support moves along anarc of a circle and maintains for a given interval of time a relativespeed equal to zero with respect to the rotating pin. In other words,the mechanical system ensures that for a given amplitude of an arc of acircle of the trajectory of the cylinder the angular speeds of thecursor and of the moving support are the same.

The laws of motion and the amplitude of the oscillations of the movingsupport are determined by the profile of the cams.

A first drawback posed by the mechanical synchronisation devices ofknown type used in the systems for checking pharmaceutical products inparticular lies in that these devices are complex, heavy and bulky.

Another drawback lies in that the presence of kinematic motions in thedevices mentioned above gives origin to mechanical slacks and thereforemakes it difficult to manage the movement of the sensors precisely andin a repetitive manner.

A further drawback lies in that the mechanical parts of these mechanicalsynchronisation devices generate friction and are therefore subject towear, which considerably reduces the operating life of the mechanicalparts themselves and therefore of the devices that comprise them.

A further drawback is represented by the fact that the mechanicalsynchronisation devices need lubrication.

Another drawback is constituted by the fact that the above mentionedfriction generates a power loss that is all but negligible.

Another drawback lies in that the speeds and accelerations that can bereached by the sensors are limited.

Another drawback lies in that the elasticity of the components ofmechanical synchronisation devices causes mechanical resonance phenomenaand therefore undesired oscillations and vibrations of the sensors evenduring the recording stage.

A further drawback is represented by the fact that the ratio between thetime taken for checking the containers and the time the cylindricalsupport needs to perform one revolution is fixed, being determined bythe transmission ratios between the mechanical parts of the kinematicchain of the synchronisation device that transmits motion to thesensors.

Another drawback lies in that the components of mechanicalsynchronisation is devices must be constructed with high precision andminimum tolerance values in order to ensure the best possiblesynchronism between the motion of the support and that of the rotatingpin.

A further drawback connected to the preceding one is represented by thefact that mechanical synchronisation devices are expensive.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacksdescribed above.

In particular, it is a first object of the invention to construct anoperating device preferably for machines for controlling and inspectingcontainers and/or their contents, and a corresponding machine.

It is a further object of the invention to construct a synchronisationdevice suited in particular to be used in systems or machines forchecking and inspecting containers and/or the product contained therein,in the pharmaceutical and food industry, and a corresponding machine.

It is another object of the invention to construct a device and amachine that allow containers and/or their contents to be checkedautomatically and continuously, without interruption.

It is a further object of the invention to construct a device that has asubstantially compact structure and therefore smaller overall dimensionscompared to comparable devices of known type.

It is another object of the invention to construct a device and amachine that make it possible to eliminate or at least to minimise theuse of mechanical transmission members for moving the sensors that checkthe containers.

It is a further object of the invention to construct a device and amachine characterised by reduced friction and therefore reduced wear andpower loss, said device and machine needing less maintenance thananalogous devices of known type.

It is a further object of the invention to construct a device that makesit possible to move a support suitable for supporting the sensors thatcheck the containers in a precise and repetitive manner.

It is a further object of the invention to construct a device and amachine that make it possible to obtain high support positioning speedsand therefore high sensor speeds.

A further object of the invention is to construct a machine that,compared to equivalent machines of known type, allows a larger number ofcontainers to be checked per unit of time.

It is a further object of the invention to construct a device and amachine that are efficient and reliable.

It is another, yet not the least object of the invention to construct adevice that is light, simple from the point of view of design andexecution, economic and easy to construct and to assemble.

The objects described above are achieved by an operating device and acorresponding machine described and characterised in the respectiveindependent claims.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of thedependent claims.

A particular embodiment of the proposed solution advantageously makes itpossible to construct a device and a machine in which it is possible tovary at will the frequency and/or the amplitude with which the movingsupport moves with alternating motion per each revolution of therotating pin, and therefore of the recording means, in a practical andimmediate way.

Still advantageously, the proposed solution makes it possible toconstruct a device and a machine on which it is possible to intervene inorder to change the ratio between the time necessary for checking thecontainers and the time taken by each revolution of the carousel.

Still advantageously, the proposed solution makes it possible to carryout a device in which maintenance operations for replacement of anyfaulty components are easier than those required for analogous devicesof known type.

The aims and advantages described above will be highlighted in greaterdetail in the descriptions of some preferred embodiments of theinvention, supplied as examples without limitation, with reference tothe attached drawings, wherein:

each of Figures from 1 to 3 shows a schematic and plan view of thedevice of the invention, in the same number of operating positions;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic lateral view, partially sectioned, of thedevice shown in FIG. 1;

each of Figures from 5 a to 5 h shows a schematic plan view of the samenumber of variants of some components of the device shown in FIG. 1;

each of Figures from 6 a to 6 p shows a section view of the same numberof variants of some components of the device of the invention;

each of Figures from 7 to 9 shows a plan view of another example of adevice carried out according to the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic lateral view, partially sectioned, of thedevice shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 shows a schematic lateral view, partially sectioned, of anotherexample of the device carried out according to the invention;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a machine or system that is also thesubject of the invention;

FIG. 13 shows a plan view of some parts of the machine or system shownin FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of the machine or system shown in FIG.12;

FIG. 15 is a cross-section view of some parts of the machine or systemshown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 shows a plan sectional view, along a horizontal plane, of someparts of the machine or system shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 shows a lateral view of a cross section of another example of amachine carried out according to the invention;

FIG. 18 shows an enlarged detail of some parts of the machine shown inFIG. 17;

each of Figures from 19 to 24 shows a plan view of some parts of themachine shown in FIG. 12, each figure illustrating a different operatingposition.

First of all it is important to point out that corresponding componentsin different examples of embodiments are indicated by the same referencenumbers.

The position indications given in the different examples of embodimentshould be transferred to the new position.

While the following description, made with reference to the abovementioned figures, illustrates some particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it is clear that the invention is not limited to saidparticular embodiments, rather, the individual embodiments describedhere below clarify different aspects of the present invention, the scopeand purpose of which are defined in the claims.

Some examples of embodiment of the invention described below refer to asystem for checking and inspecting a plurality of containers and/or theproduct contained therein. More particularly, the system described is asystem for checking containers containing pharmaceutical products thatuses an operating device carried out according to the invention.

It is clear, however, that the proposed solution can be applied to anymachine or system where part of the same machine or system must performa particular forward-backward movement, or so-called alternatingmovement, preferably around a rotation centre, for example in order tofollow and check a series of containers guided on a transport line.

An operating device carried out according to the invention isrepresented in Figures from 1 to 4, where it is indicated as a whole by1.

It comprises means, indicated as a whole by 2, suited to move at leastone support 3, also called cursor, with an alternating motion around afirst axis 4.

According to the invention, the means 2 comprise one or more permanentmagnets 5 arranged along at least one section of a circular trajectorythat is concentric with the axis 4, and at least one winding 6, saidwinding 6 being controlled by a control unit 7.

More generally, the operating device 1 comprises at least two parts thatare set moving with a reciprocal motion to obtain a controlledoscillation around the axis 4 with any law of motion.

More generally, the magnets are arranged along at least one section of anon rectilinear trajectory, preferably curved and more particularlycircular.

In the preferred non-limiting embodiment of the invention illustratedherein, the support or cursor 3 is integral with the winding 6 that canmove along a second circular guide, not illustrated, concentric with theguide element 8.

In the particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention illustratedherein, the permanent magnets 5 are arranged on a circular guide element8.

More precisely, the permanent magnets 5 are arranged side by side withinverted polarity and generate a permanent magnetic field that interactswith the magnetic field generated by the winding 6 when the winding isactivated by the control unit 7.

More precisely, the control unit 7, by properly varying the voltageand/or current in the winding 6 (for example varying wave form,frequency and amplitude) also to varies the direction of motion of thesupport 3.

This makes it possible to obtain the desired forward-backward movement,also called oscillation movement, around the axis 4, schematically shownin Figures from 1 to 3, which can have any amplitude, as will be betterillustrated below.

More particularly, in the example shown, the cursor starts from a firstposition shown in FIG. 1 and reaches a second external position, shownin FIG. 3, to successively return to the position shown in FIG. 1,moving within an angle A visible in FIG. 3.

It should also be observed that, by varying the voltage and current inthe winding (for example varying wave form, frequency and amplitude),the same control unit varies the repulsive force between the winding 6and the permanent magnets 5, thus generating the relative motion betweenthe winding 6 and the magnets 5 with different speeds and allowingvariable acceleration and braking intensity to be obtained.

As an alternative, the winding 6 can be fixed and the moving support orcursor 3 can be integral with the circular guide element 8 that in thiscase will move around the axis 4. In other words, in this variant it isthe ring 8 integral with the cursor 3 that moves, while the winding 6 isfixed. This advantageously makes it possible to avoid using, forexample, the electric sliding contacts necessary for supplying power tothe winding 6, or to avoid mechanical stress on the power supply cables,as well as to reduce the number of moving parts.

It is also clear that the winding 6 and the ring 8 can have any shape,provided that the surfaces in reciprocal motion are coupled.

It is also clear that the winding 6 and the ring 8 can have any size,provided that the surfaces in reciprocal motion are coupled.

The above is valid also if these surfaces degenerate in a point or aline. This occurs, for example, when the winding 6 is a parallelepiped.In this case, in fact, the winding and the circular element 8, havingpolygonal cross section, are coupled on a line.

If the circular element has circular cross section and the winding 6 isa parallelepiped, the two components are coupled in the area at theminimum distance, that is, on a point.

As regards the control unit 7, it preferably comprises a microprocessorunit.

More particularly, said control unit 7 may comprise a PLC and/orcomputer and/or microprocessor and/or an electric motor drive and beprovided with interface means (not illustrated), comprising for exampledisplays, keyboards, mouses ecc. Said interface means make it possibleto set the operating parameters of the device 1.

More particularly, the operator, using the above mentioned interfacemeans, can set the speed of the cursor 3 or the type of motion, forexample to make the cursor perform a uniform and/or non-uniformoscillation but with variable accelerations and/or speeds. As analternative, the operator can determine the time or duration of theforward-backward cycle or the number of cycles per unit of time(frequency) of the forward-backward cycle, or the amplitude of theseoscillations, ecc.

Each one of Figures from 5 a to 5 h represents a different embodiment ofthe device described above.

In particular, these embodiments differ from one another due to thenumber of windings indicated by 6 and to the position assumed by eachwinding 6 with respect to the element 8 and therefore to the magnets 5.

More particularly, in FIG. 5 a the device comprises eight windingsarranged opposite the outer surface of the circular element.

In FIG. 5 b the device comprises a single winding arranged inside thecircular element.

In FIG. 5 c the device comprises eight windings that are all arrangedopposite the inner surface of the circular element.

In FIG. 5 d the device comprises a single winding arranged opposite boththe inner surface and the outer surface of the ring-shaped element.

In FIG. 5 e the device comprises eight windings, each arranged oppositeboth the inner surface and the outer surface of the ring-shaped element.

In FIG. 5 f the device comprises a single ring-shaped winding arrangedopposite the outer surface of the ring-shaped element.

In FIG. 5 g the device comprises a single ring-shaped winding arrangedopposite both the inner and the outer surface of the ring-shapedelement.

In FIG. 5 h the device comprises a single ring-shaped winding arrangedexclusively opposite the inner surface of the ring-shaped elementprovided with permanent magnets.

It is also clear that the element 8 provided with permanent magnets canhave a different geometrical shape, provided that it is not rectilinear.More particularly, said element 8 may for example develop on a sectionof a circumference.

It is also clear that the element 8 provided with permanent magnets 5and the winding 6 can have different cross sections.

By way of example, Figures from 6 a to 6 p show some different crosssections of the winding indicated by 6 and of the support element 8 ofthe magnets 5.

In the above mentioned figures the winding 6 and the element 8 providedwith the permanent magnets 5 have mixtilinear section, as in FIG. 6 a,or 6 o, or polygonal as in FIGS. 6 b, 6 d, 6 e, 6 f, 6 g, 6 h, 6 i, 6 l,6 m, 6 n, 6 p, or circular as in FIGS. 6 a, 6 c, 6 e, 6 o, orcombinations of these.

It is clear that in other embodiments of the invention the crosssections of the winding and of the support may be inverted withreference to Figures from 6 a to 6 p. In other words, with reference toFigures from 6 a to 6 p, the geometry of the winding 6 may be that ofthe element 8 and the section of the element 8 may be that of thewinding indicated by 6.

A further construction variant of the device of the invention, indicatedas a whole by 100 in the Figures from 7 to 10, differs from thepreceding ones due to the fact that the control unit 7 cooperates withmeans 9 suited to record the rotation speed of a rotating pin 10, inorder to control the means 2 in such a way as to maintain a relativespeed equal to zero between the support 3 and the rotating pin 10 for agiven interval of time.

In other words, the control unit 7 acts on the means 2 in such a way asto ensure that the support element 3 moves with an alternating motion,maintaining the same angular speed for the cursor and the support for agiven angle B.

It is clear that both the angle A and the angle B can be set by theoperator through the control unit 7.

It should also be noted that in the particular non-limiting embodimentrepresented herein, the first axis 4 and the second axis 11, besidesbeing parallel to each other, coincide with the axis of the pin 10. Moreprecisely, in the example shown they are all coincident.

As regards the means 9 suited to record the rotation speed of a rotatingpin, they comprise a transducer, preferably consisting of an encoder ora speedometer dynamo.

As regards the rotating pin 10, it is set rotating by power means 12comprising, in the non-limiting example illustrated herein, a gear motorunit including an electric motor.

A further construction variant of the device that is the subject of theinvention, indicated as a whole by 200 in FIG. 11, differs from theprevious ones due to the fact that it also comprises second means 14controlled by the control unit 7, said second means being suited to movethe pin 10 with a rotary motion with respect to the second axis 11.

In this case, to advantage, the control unit 7 acts simultaneously bothon the means that move the pin 10 and on the means that move the cursor,thus guaranteeing further and greater precision in the control andsynchronisation of the two movements, rotary (of the pin 10) andoscillating (of the support 3).

It should be noted, also in this case, that the first and second axis 4are parallel to each other. More precisely, in the example illustratedherein they are coincident.

It is clear that in other embodiments of the invention they may beparallel but not coincident.

As regards the second means 14, they preferably comprise an electricmotor controlled by the control unit 7, provided with a shaft with asystem of kinematic motions suited to set the pin 10 rotating. Thesekinematic motion systems generally comprise a mechanical gear motor.

FIG. 12 shows a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of a system ormachine for checking and inspecting containers and/or their contents,indicated as a whole by 500, which is also the subject of the presentinvention.

The machine, indicated as a whole by numeral 500, is suited to verifythe conditions and the contents of the containers 501 containing, forexample, a pharmaceutical product. It is provided, as will be betterexplained below, with an operating device of the type described above.

More particularly, the machine 500 comprises, as shown in detail in FIG.13:

-   -   a loading unit for the containers to be checked, indicated as a        whole by 502;    -   rotatable support means 503 provided with a plurality of seats        504 positioned side by side, each suited to receive from the        loading unit 502 a container 501 to be checked;    -   means 505 for recording the characteristics to be checked of the        container 501, facing at least one of the above mentioned seats        504;    -   an operating device 1, better visible in FIG. 14, suited to        maintain a relative speed equal to zero between the container        501 positioned on the support 503 when this is rotating and the        recording means 505, said device 1 being suited to maintain said        relative speed equal to zero for a time interval and/or an angle        necessary for recording the characteristics of the bottle 501 to        be checked;    -   an unloading unit 506 for the checked containers 501, suited to        collect the checked containers from the rotating support 503 in        order to convey them out of the machine or to recirculate them.

The operating device 1 is suited to maintain the same angular speed forboth the support means 504 rotating around an axis 11 and for therecording means 505 that move with an alternating motion around the axis4.

More particularly, said angular speed is kept constant for an angle thatcan be set by the operator and is such as to ensure the correctmeasurement of the parameters to be checked by the recording means 505.

According to the invention, the operating device consists of one of theoperating devices described above.

More particularly, in the preferred embodiment of the inventionrepresented herein, said means comprise the winding 6 integral with theframe 510 of the system and the support element 3 of the permanentmagnets constituted by a ring-shaped element 8.

The support element 3 is constituted, in the example, by a ring-shapedelement that is rotatably coupled, by means of bearings 509, to a pin511 fixed to the frame 510. The recording means 505 are integral withthe element 3.

As regards the rotating support means 504, they preferably comprise acylinder 513, or first disc, also called carousel, radially providedwith a plurality of seats 504, visible in FIG. 13, positioned side byside, each suited to receive from the loading unit 502 a container 501to be checked, as can be seen also in FIG. 16. These means 504 alsocomprise pressing devices, not illustrated herein, suited to press thecontainer 501 against the wall of the seat 504.

Said cylinder 513 is integral with a rotating pin 515 and is moved bythe power means 516 consisting of a gear motor unit comprising anelectric motor. In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustratedherein, the means 516 are not controlled by the control unit 7.

The recording means 505 are arranged along the perimeter of the cylinder513 and, as explained above, they face the above mentioned seats 504, asshown also in FIG. 16.

Said recording means 505 are constituted by sensors.

In the non-limiting example of embodiment illustrated herein, saidsensors comprise optical sensors, more precisely cameras.

It is clear, however, that these sensors can be of any type, for exampletemperature sensors or other types of sensors and can employ differenttechnologies, for example ultrasound technology.

As to the loading unit 502, it substantially comprises a second disc 518rotatably coupled to a corresponding pin 519 called loading star wheel,and the unloading unit 506 comprises a third disc 520, called unloadingstar wheel, rotatingly coupled to a corresponding pin 521.

Both the second and the third disc 518 and 520 are provided with aplurality of seats 522 arranged side by side, each suited to receive abottle 501.

More particularly, the second disc 518 is suited to receive thecontainers 501 coming from an inlet transport unit not illustratedherein and to fit them in the seats 504 of the carousel 513.

The third disc 520 is suited to take the containers (so-called bottles)501 from the carousel 510 and to deposit them on at least onetransporting and sorting unit, provided with several unloading channels523 visible in FIG. 12.

More precisely, suitable actuator devices make it possible to convey thecontainers 501 towards different unloading channels 523 according to theparameters recorded by the sensors.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show another embodiment of a machine constructedaccording to the invention, indicated as a whole by 600.

Said machine 600 differs from the previous ones owing to the fact thatthe element 8 is integral with the frame 510 and the winding 6 moveswith respect to the axis 4 and supports the recording means 505.

In practice, according to the designed operation of the system, thecontainers guided by the powered transport unit are introduced in theseats, arranged radially on the second disc 518 that is set rotating,and are successively transferred to the seats 504 in the carousel forinspection.

After reaching that position, the container 501 keeps rotating aroundthe axis 4, 11, and after the check it arrives at the level of theunloading unit 506, where it is collected by said unloading unit 506 andconveyed to one of the outlets according to the characteristicsrecorded.

When the bottle to be inspected arrives near the recording means 505,the control unit 7 activates the winding 6 that generates a magneticfield and moves the recording means 505, accelerating them untilreaching the same angular speed as that of the carousel, as shown inFIGS. 19 and 20.

The control unit 7 then maintains the angular speed reached by thecursor 3, and to therefore by the recording means 505, constant for thetime or angle set, thus allowing the parameters of the bottle to bechecked.

Once the check has been carried out, the control unit decelerates thecursor until stopping it, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, successivelyinverting the direction of motion, as shown in FIG. 23, and bringing therecording means back to the initial position, as shown in FIG. 24.

It should be noted that in the example shown the recording means areconstituted by three pairs of cameras 530 that thus allow six containersto be checked per forward-backward cycle.

In other words, the check of the containers positioned on the carouselis carried out automatically by means of the one or more sensors thatfollow the bottle along a section of revolution of the carousel, thusguaranteeing that in this section the relative speed between the bottleand the sensors is equal to zero.

At the end of this section, the sensors decelerate until their speedequals zero and then invert their direction and return to the startingpoint, ready to accelerate again and reach and be aligned with thesuccessive container in order to check it.

Once checked, the containers complying with the set parameters proceedto a transporting and sorting unit, otherwise they are rejected orrecirculated.

It is clear that in the system that is the subject of the invention theoperating device may also not control directly the power means that movethe carousel. In this case the operating device (so-calledsynchronisation device) comprises the means 9 for recording the angularspeed of the carousel, that, cooperating with the control unit 7, willconsequently move the sensors 505 with an alternating motion.

It is clear from the above description that the proposed solutionenables the achievement of the previously-stated objects and overcomesthe previously-described drawbacks.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the attacheddrawings, it may undergo modifications in subsequent stages of itsimplementation that shall all come within the scope of the inventionexpressed in the following claims and shall consequently be covered bythe present patent.

It is also worth noting that where the characteristics mentioned in thefollowing claims are followed by reference signs, these are used merelyto facilitate the readability of the claim itself and shall not be seenas limiting its interpretation in any way.

It is important to underline, moreover, that all the components may bereplaced by other, technically equivalent parts and that any materialsmay be used, provided that they are compatible with the intended usage,and the various elements may be of any size, according to need.

The invention claimed is:
 1. Operating device (1, 100, 200) comprisingmeans (2) suited to move at least one support (3) with an alternatingmotion (A) around a first axis (4), wherein said means (2) comprise oneor more permanent magnets (5) arranged along at least one section of acircumference that is concentric with said axis (4) and at least onewinding (6), said at least one winding (6) being controlled by a controlunit (7) wherein said control unit (7) properly varies the voltageand/or current in said at least one winding (6) in order to vary thedirection of motion of said at least one support (3) wherein said atleast one support is integral either with said at least one winding (6)or with said one or more permanent magnets (5) characterized in thatsaid at least one support (3) is arrangeable around a rotating pin (10),wherein said first axis (4) and the axis (11) of said pin (10) areparallel to each other and coincident, and wherein said pin (10) is setrotating by separate power means (12) and is able to rotateindependently from said at least one support (3); in that said devicealso comprises means (9) suited to record the rotation speed of saidrotating pin (10) and cooperating with said control unit (7), and inthat said control unit (7) controls said means (2) suited to move saidat least one support (3) in such a way as to maintain a relative speedequal to zero between said at least one support (3) and said rotatingpin (10) for a given interval of time and/or a given angle (B). 2.Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said one or morepermanent magnets (5) are arranged side by side with inverted polarityand generate a permanent magnetic field that interacts with the magneticfield generated by said at least one winding (6) when the winding isactivated by said control unit (7).
 3. Device according to claim 1,characterised in that said control unit (7) preferably comprises amicroprocessor unit and/or a PLC and/or a computer and/or a drive forelectric motors.
 4. Device according to claim 1, characterised in thatsaid control unit (7) also comprises interface means.
 5. Deviceaccording to claim 4, characterised in that said interface meanscomprise a display and/or a keyboard and/or a mouse.
 6. Device (100)according to claim 1, characterised in that the amplitude (A) of saidoscillation and said angle (B), for which the angular speeds betweensaid at least one support (3) and said rotating pin (10) are the same,can be set through said control unit (7).
 7. Device (100) according toclaim 1, characterised in that said means (9) suitable for recording therotation speed of said rotating pin (10) comprise a transducer. 8.Device (100) according to claim 7, characterised in that said transducercomprises an encoder and/or a speedometer dynamo.
 9. Device (100)according to claim 1, characterised in that said power means comprise anelectric motor.
 10. Device (200) according to claim 9, characterised inthat said power means are controlled by said control unit (7). 11.Machine (500, 600) for checking and inspecting containers (501) and/ortheir contents, comprising: a loading unit for the containers (502) tobe checked; rotatable support means (503) provided with a plurality ofseats (504), each suited to receive one container (501) to be checkedfrom said loading unit (502); means (505) for recording thecharacteristics of said container (501) to be checked; an operatingdevice suited to maintain a relative speed equal to zero between saidrecording means (505) and said container (501) positioned on saidsupport means (503), when said support means are rotating, said devicebeing suited to maintain said relative speed equal to zero for a periodof time and/or angle necessary to record the characteristics of saidcontainer (501) to be checked; an unloading unit (506) suited to collectsaid checked containers (501) from said rotating support (503) in orderto convey them out of said machine or to recirculate them; characterisedin that said operating device is carried out according to claim 1, saidat least one support (3) being integral with said recording means (505).12. Machine according to claim 11, characterised in that said at leastone winding (6) is integral with the frame (510) of said machine. 13.Machine according to claim 12, characterised in that said recordingmeans (505) are integral with said one or more permanent magnets (5).14. Machine according to claim 13, characterised in that said at leastone support element (3) of said permanent magnets (5) comprises aring-shaped element (8) rotatably coupled to a pin (511) fixed to theframe (510) of said machine by means of bearings (509).
 15. Machineaccording to claim 11, characterised in that said recording means (505)are integral with said at least one winding (6).
 16. Machine accordingto claim 11, characterised in that said rotary support means (504)preferably comprise a cylinder (513) radially provided with said seats(504) positioned side by side.
 17. Machine according to claim 16,characterised in that said cylinder (513) is integral with a rotatingpin (515) and is driven by the power means (516).
 18. Machine accordingto claim 17, characterised in that said power means comprise a gearmotor unit comprising an electric motor.
 19. Machine according to claim11, characterised in that said recording means (505) are arranged alongthe perimeter of said support means (513), facing said seats (504). 20.Machine according to claim 11, characterised in that said recordingmeans (515) consist of sensors.
 21. Machine according to claim 20,characterised in that said sensors are of the optical type and/orultrasound sensors.
 22. Machine according to claim 11, characterised inthat said loading unit (502) comprises a second disc (518) rotatablycoupled to a corresponding pin (519) and provided with a plurality ofseats positioned side by side.
 23. Machine according to claim 11,characterised in that said unloading unit (506) comprises a third disc(520) rotatably coupled to a corresponding pin (521) and provided with aplurality of seats positioned side by side.
 24. Machine according toclaim 11, characterised in that said means (9) suitable for recordingthe rotation speed of a rotating pin (10) of said device record therotation speed of said rotatable support means (503).